Dr. Dre’s former divorce counselor, Dr. Charles Sophy, has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the music executive and business mogul alleging that he endured a “systematic and malicious campaign of harassment” from the defendant.
Per the Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday. Dr. Dre, born Andre Romell Young, is being sued by Sophy for civil harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Sophy in the lawsuit claims he currently “wears a bulletproof vest anytime he steps foot outside, is afraid to leave his home, and is constantly looking over his shoulder.”
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The lawsuit said that Young and his ex-wife, Nicole Young, started receiving marriage counseling from Sophy in 2018, adding that the former couple also agreed for him to mediate the terms of their divorce. Following the finalization of their divorce, Sophy in 2021 cut off communication with the couple after “diligently, independently, and fairly” working to “help Young and his ex-wife resolve their disputes.”
“Fourteen months later, and suddenly, without warning, Young launched a sustained campaign of abusive messages, late-night reminders that he would not ‘forget’ Dr. Sophy, and homophobic slurs,” per the lawsuit. Sophy in the lawsuit also said that the outcome of the mediation left Young frustrated, and the defendant lashed out those feelings on him.
The filing also provided text messages Sophy received from Young. Those messages were allegedly sent between February and August 2023. Sophy claims a lot of those messages had “homophobic rhetoric” (e.g., ‘You’re a b—’), the Los Angeles Times reported. The messages include Young allegedly telling Sophy that he’s “going to have to pay” and the plaintiff is “f— with the wrong one.”
The Beverly Hills psychiatrist claims that he ultimately replied Young in an attempt to calm tempers. He said he told Young that although he could not really establish what was going on, he was open to meeting the defendant to talk over the issue. The filing said that Young, however, “doubled down, further threatening [Sophy].”
The filing said that Sophy became worried when Young continued sending him messages. The plaintiff also said that being aware of Young’s “well-documented history of violence and abuse” as well as his popularity, it was possible that he could carry out any threat, “causing physical harm, violence, or death to Dr. Sophy.”
The lawsuit alleges that Young arranged for several associates to act as FBI agents in an attempt to illegally enter his home which was situated in a gated community, the Los Angeles Times reported. The suit said that was after the threats were not carried out. The plaintiff said he ultimately had to beef up his security and wear a bulletproof vest.
Besides seeking a trial by jury, Sophy also wants to be awarded $10 million in actual and compensatory damages. He is additionally seeking exemplary and punitive damages to be decided at trial.
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